Tundra Targeted By Catalytic Converter Thieves

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The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a ring of catalytic converter thieves who targeted new Toyota Tundras has been broken up. While this is good news for a number of Toyota dealerships in the Houston area, it underscores the seriousness of catalytic converter thefts. To many thieves, stealing a catalytic converter is “easy money,” yet for vehicle owners (and their insurance companies) it’s an incredibly expensive problem.

Why Catalytic Converters Are Stolen

Catalytic converter theft

Catalytic converters have value to thieves because they contain a variety of precious medals, all of which can be sold for scrap. Depending on the particular vehicle the catalytic converter comes from, the scrap value can range from $75 to $250 per converter. Unscrupulous scrap yards often don’t require proof that a converter came off of a wrecked or salvaged vehicle, making it far too easy for thieves to turn a quick profit.

Catalytic converters are also targeted because stealing them isn’t terribly complicated. All it takes is a portable saw and a dark place to work. SUVs and trucks are usually targeted because of their high ground clearance, which makes them easier to crawl underneath than passenger cars.

Tundra owners must be careful because newer models have four separate catalytic converters, each of which has a significant value. According to the Houston Chronicle, the recently broken-up theft ring was able to earn $80 per catalytic (or $320 per Tundra). This is a small percentage of the replacement cost, which is over $3500.

Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Tips

Like most things in life, a little bit of planning goes a long way. Here are some simple tips for keeping potential thieves away from your truck’s catalytic converters.

1. Park inside your garage. It’s obvious to be sure, but it works very well. Not only is your truck out of sight (and out of mind), but there’s a lot more risk involved in breaking into someone’s garage than there is crawling under a vehicle in the driveway or parked on the street.

2. Park in a well-lit area. Again, it’s obvious, but if you have to park outside at night, do so in a well-lit area. Lighting discourages thieves.

3. Install an alarm system. Just about every vehicle alarm system includes a shock sensor, which can detect the vibrations of someone’s portable saw if it’s setup properly. Upgrades like a proximity sensor are nice as well, but it’s sometimes difficult to get the settings just right, so you’ll want to spend some time calibrating everything if you decide to go this route.

CatClamp and CatLock

4. Install a special catalytic converter theft deterrent. Full disclosure – no anti-theft system can stop a thief. However, both the CatClamp and the CatLock are interesting systems that will deter theft simply because they appear impenetrable (even though they’re fairly simple to defeat). They’re also sort of expensive – $100-$300 per device, which means it would cost $400-$1200 to protect all of the catalytics on a Tundra. Still, if your neighborhood is constantly the target of these thieves, they’re an option worth considering.

Dog might prevent theft

5. Get a dog. They’re easily the most expensive anti-theft device on this list, and they’re never guaranteed to work, but it’s a good bet your dog will make some noise if someone is crawling around on your driveway in the middle of the night.

Filed Under: Tundra News

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  1. mk says:

    If I lived in such a high crime rate area, the best defense is to move from such a bad city. Luckily, I live in a small midwestern community where I know several neighbors (not me though-not that trustworthy) who do not even lock their doors at night or during the day when they are at work. This is why I refuse to live in bigger crime cities like Milwaukee/Chicago here in the midwest besides being too expensive and too much traffic to contend with.

  2. Mickey says:

    I use my 3 car garage. The Tundra in the single and the Prius and 18.5 ft Bayliner in the double. Glad they finally caught someone for that issue. Great report.

  3. thunder road says:

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/for.....theft.html this is for the tacoma it be cheaper to buy. wonder if you can get one for the tundra. they look good

  4. thunder road says:

    i saw in tacoma world a catalytic converter plate. look good. wonder if one can be fix to fit the tundra. this site hate web sites

  5. TXTee says:

    My Tundra never has fit in my garage and I go all over the Houston area that I can’t protect it at all times. But I do know one thing: If I ever find someone under (or in) my truck and they don’t belong there, they have all hell to pay. Remember, in TX, we don’t dial 911…..I will be shooting first, no questions later.

  6. Jason says:

    mk – The safest place I’ve ever parked a vehicle is mid-town Manhattan. It’s well lit, people are constantly nearby, and police patrols are frequent and regular. If I lived in the woods, I’d be worried about some separatist nut using me for target practice. In the city, I feel perfectly safe…to each his own, right? I have no point, just an observation.

    Mickey – That’s the best solution – thanks for helping manage the comments during my absence.

    thunder road – Sorry man about not approving your comment earlier. I got slammed with work late last week and I neglected the site. Please know that I would have approved your comment much sooner if I hadn’t been so busy – I hope to see you back.

    Also, in regards to the plate – I’m worried about heat build-up. I read the thread you linked to, and someone made a point about the heat from that plate starting a fire under the vehicle. I think that’s a bit too much concern, but I would be worried about shortening the life of the transmission. I can imagine a scenario where the heat from my exhaust is reflected back up on my transmission as I’m towing up hill in 90 degree heat…air cooling might not dissipate heat fast enough if I’m only going 30 mph (like on a mountain climb in Nevada, for example).

    TXTee – You are my kind of woman! I’m with you all the way.

  7. Mickey says:

    Jason for being the only one managing this website as to other Tundra websites that have many doing it I can’t complain about it at all. We all get busy and should expect sometimes you can’t do it all. I respect that. I like the idea of you closing the other thread too. The holy all knowing one just doesn’t seem to get it.

  8. Jason says:

    Mickey – Thanks. Hexmate isn’t ready to let it go, but I’m done. The ex-GM employee with the mysterious job description is still dropping comments, but I’m deleting them if they’re simply a continuation of our previous back and forth.

  9. TxTee says:

    Way cool, Mickey! I didn’t know about your role but you are more than deserving of it. Congrats….

    Great choice, Jason.

  10. Mickey says:

    TXTee Thanks but I’m not in a role with the admin side of this website. I just keep commenting on what’s happening. Jason has alot of things on his plate and it’s a pleasure to help answer things here for him.

  11. Jason says:

    TXTee – Mickey has no “official” capacity, but he’s always on top of comments, and I really appreciate that.

  12. AJ says:

    A local story about catalytic thefts.

    http://www.pressdemocrat.com/a...../104021079

  13. Jason (Admin) says:

    AJ – Crazy. Thanks for the link!

  14. […] Takes Stand Against Auto ThievesNews Alert: Thieves Targeting Toyota Tacoma in Southern CaliforniaTundra Targeted By Catalytic Converter Thieves AKPC_IDS+="7557,";Popularity: unrankedFiled Under: Auto News Tags: catalytic converter • theft […]

  15. CARCAGE says:

    the 2007 and newer tundras and sequoias only have two catalytic converters not four———the ones towards the rear are resonators…….easy mistake

  16. Rick says:

    I found a catalytic converter theft deterrent system available at http://catstrap.net that acts as both a steel barrier AND wireless alarm system to prevent your converter from being stolen

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